Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers about Double Up Food Bucks Wisconsin, commonly referred to as Double Up WI. Not in Wisconsin? Visit the National Network.
General Program Questions
How does Double Up WI work?
Double Up WI matches QUEST card, or food stamp, dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, up to $20 a day. The program prioritizes Wisconsin-Grown produce. That means families can get twice the fresh fruits and veggies.
Can I use Double Up WI vouchers that I received at one location at a different location?
Dane County Double Dollars, Milwaukee Market Match, Green Bay Double your Bucks allow for use at multiple locations. Talk to your market manager or go to their pages to see where you can use specific tokens. Other independent markets only accept the tokens from their market.
We hope to offer statewide vouchers for Double Up WI at more farmers markets and grocery stores in future years.
Who qualifies for Double Up WI?
Anyone receiving FoodShare benefits is automatically eligible for the program. If you have a QUEST card, you are eligible for Double Up WI.
Where can I use Double Up WI?
Statewide, 50+ grocery stores and farmers markets participate in Double Up WI. Find a location or contact us to find a participating site near you.
What can you buy with Double Up WI?
Double Up WI can be used to purchase whole or cut fruits & vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, canned in water or 100% juice) without added ingredients.
What if there are no participating Double Up WI sites in my area?
You can recommend a location to us to tell us where you want Double Up WI to take root in your area. Contact us here.
What if I need immediate food help?
Go to: Find Free Food and Groceries | Feeding America or Food Programs & Food Benefits | United Way 211 or Call 211.
What if I'm not in Wisconsin?
Double Up Food Bucks is available in many states and is growing every day. Visit Double Up America to find other state programs across the country.
What if I have WIC benefits, am I eligible for Double Up WI?
Not at this time. However, the Department of Health Services offers a Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for WIC members and seniors. Find out more about WIC FMNP here and Senior FMNP here.
Double Up WI at the Grocery Store
How does Double Up WI work at grocery stores?
When you use your Quest card, Double Up WI matches your fruit and vegetable purchases up to $20. For every $1 you spend on fresh fruits and vegetables, you earn $1 in Double Up Bucks to buy additional fresh fruits and vegetables.
What can I buy with my Double Up Bucks at the grocery store?
Double Up Bucks can be spent on any fresh fruits and vegetables in the store where you earned the Double Up Bucks.
Is there a participating grocery store near me?
There are 5 stores across WI that offer Double Up WI. Find one close to you.
Are there any big box stores that accept Double Up WI?
Large retailers, like Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart do not participate in our program at this time. We primarily work with independent and regional grocery stores and farmers’ markets, with more than 50+ participating locations across Wisconsin.
Double Up WI prioritizes increasing access to locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
See How it Works at the Store for more details.
Shopping at the Farmers Market
How does Double Up WI work at farmers markets?
For every $1 spent with your QUEST card at participating farmers markets, you receive $1 of Double Up Bucks, to spend on any fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per week.
Many markets distribute Double Up Bucks as tokens or vouchers.
Double Up Bucks can be used at the farmers markets they are purchased with exceptions for: Dane County Double Dollars, Milwaukee Market Match, Green Bay Double your Bucks who allow for use at multiple locations. Talk to your market manager or go to their pages to see where you can use specific tokens.
What can I buy at farmers markets?
QUEST card benefits can be spent on any SNAP-eligible items at the farmers market including fruits, vegetables, bread, eggs, and meat. See our coalition website for printable resources.
In which months does the program run at farmers markets?
Double Up WI is available at Wisconsin farmers markets during the market seasons in summer and select winter markets. Check our location map to see which participating farmers markets near you are open.
Is there a participating farmers market near me?
Double Up WI is available at 50+ farmers markets across Wisconsin. Find one close to you.
Is there a minimum amount I must spend on my QUEST card to receive Double Up Bucks?
No, there is no minimum amount.
Is there a limit on how much I can spend from my QUEST card at a farmers market?
The sky's the limit! Each day, you can spend as much as you want from your QUEST card. However, Double Up WI only matches purchases up to $20 per week.
For example, if you use your QUEST card to spend $30 in SNAP benefits at the market, you will receive $20 in Double Up Bucks.
How do I know which vendors accept Double Up Bucks at the market?
Most vendors that sell fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets accept Double Up Bucks. Look for Double Up WI signs displayed at market stalls or ask vendors before making a purchase. They are happy to help!
How do I get Double Up Bucks?
Visit the market manager or information booth. When you receive your SNAP tokens after swiping your QUEST card, they will match them with Double Up Bucks in the form of tokens or vouchers. Look for signage, banners, and friendly faces. Ask a vendor if you are unsure. They will help you figure out where you can swipe your QUEST card.
Do the Double Up Bucks expire?
This varies by market. We do always encourage customers to use their tokens by the end of the market season and some Double Up Bucks do expire at the end of the season. Ask the specific market information booth attendant for details.
Can I return my Double Up Bucks?
Yes, you can return Double Up Bucks, but you must have equal value in SNAP tokens. For instance, to return $10 of Double Up Bucks, you must have $10 of SNAP tokens. This may vary by market so always ask what their process is.
Can I use the Double Up Bucks at multiple farmers market locations?
It depends, Dane County Double Dollars, Milwaukee Market Match, Green Bay Double your Bucks allow for use at multiple market locations. Other independent markets only accept the Double Up Bucks from their market.Talk to the market manager or go to their pages linked above to see where you can use specific Double Up Bucks.
Can I use my Double Up Bucks at non-farmers market locations?
At this time you cannot use market Double Up Bucks at grocery stores, co-ops, CSA farm shares, or online. Each of these sites has their own voucher/currency or process for redeeming your $20/week fruits and vegetables. Check out our map to see all locations.
We hope to offer statewide Double Up Bucs at more farmers markets and grocery stores in future years.
Getting Involved
How can I support the Double Up WI program?
Tell others about us! We are always happy when people spread the word.
You can also help Double Up WI take root in your community by volunteering, recommending a location, and more.
What if I’m not in Wisconsin?
Double Up Food Bucks is available in many states and is growing every day. Visit Double Up America to find other state programs across the country.
Are there other ways I can get involved with Double Up WI?
The Double Up WI program is supported by the Wisconsin Nutrition Incentive Network. Get in touch and we'll be happy to discuss it with you. You can find WINI’s contact information here.
SNAP, EBT and the QUEST Card
What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?
SNAP is a federal food assistance program that provides benefits (or food stamps) so that people in need can purchase healthy food. In Wisconsin we call this program FoodShare.
Double Up Food Bucks Wisconsin doubles the value of SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers markets and grocery stores.
Are SNAP, EBT, food stamps, FoodShare, and the QUEST card the same thing?
YES! The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) is the federal program that provides food assistance, often called food stamps, to those who need it. In Wisconsin we call our SNAP program, FoodShare. EBT stands for "Electronic Benefits Transfer" and is the mechanism to use SNAP benefits.
In Wisconsin, people who are eligible for FoodShare are provided a QUEST card. The QUEST card is used to purchase eligible food products and access benefits electronically, through EBT, rather than using paper food stamps and checks.
Do I qualify for FoodShare? How do I get a QUEST card?
Visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare for information about how to qualify for FoodShare and receive a QUEST card.
Can I use my QUEST card in another state?
Yes, you can use your QUEST card out of state.
What can I buy with my QUEST card?
You can use your QUEST card to buy groceries and seeds or plants that produce food. Items such as alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, and non-food household items cannot be purchased with a QUEST card. Visit this website to see what you can buy with your QUEST card.
Can I buy pet food with a QUEST card?
No, pet food cannot be purchased with a QUEST card.
What if I do not have FoodShare?
You can visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services site to see if you qualify to receive FoodShare and a QUEST card.